Oz Open: Sania gets an easy first round

Sania Mirza would open her campaign in the year's first Grand Slam tournament against Uzbek Wild Card Iroda Tulyaganova.

Written by Press Trust of India

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Melbourne:

Sania gets an easy first round opponent at Australian Open Sania Mirza, seeded 31st for the 2008 Australian Open, would open her campaign in the year's first Grand Slam tournament against Uzbek Wild Card Iroda Tulyaganova.

The 26-year-old Tulyaganova is currently ranked 317 on the WTA charts but was among the top-20 players in 2001.

The Uzbek girls has three singles titles to her credit and wins over Patty Schnyder and former world number one Kim Clijsters.

If Sania clears the first hurdle, she could face local challenger Sophie Ferguson, ranked 176 in the world, in the second round.

However, the sailing may not be that smooth afterwards as her possible third round opponent would be eight-seeded American Venus Williams.